Wildcats look to build on last year's state run

Published: Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 11:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 11:38 p.m.

Before the first point of the 2013 season was scored, members of the Forest girls tennis team would talk to one another about goals. And because the Wildcats already had a template to follow, the aspirations were quite high.

“We wanted to continue with what we did last year when we (won districts and regionals and) got to state and try to do even better,” junior Taylor Dixon said. “We understood doing that had brought us momentum, and we wanted to carry that on.”

So far, so good.

After finishing 15-1 in the 2012 regular season, FHS followed that up with a 15-0 mark this year. The parts are essentially the same — with one big difference. Former No. 1 singles player Megan Dixon is now 8-6 as a freshman for Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky.

Stepping in for her has been younger sister, Taylor, a junior, who has served as the Wildcats' co-captain, along with No. 2 singles player, Alice Cannon. Also, the No. 1 doubles team, Cannon and Dixon bring much-needed fortitude and experience, according to 10th-year coach Kathy Hatfield.

“Alice Cannon is our senior team leader who brings everyone together before every match and shares her tennis wisdom and mental tenacity,” said Hatfield, who added assistant coach Craig Cannon also has provided immeasurable help. “She helps coordinate many activities and leads by example.

“This year Taylor Dixon has also stepped up to fire up the team and inject some emotional energy with her powerful play. Taylor has taken over the No. 1 position with poise and determination.

“Both players lead this team into the District (3A-5) tournament (beginning today at Jonesville Tennis Center in Gainesville).”

Also back were sophomores Katelyn and Breanna McNeal, playing No. 3 and No. 5 singles and No. 2 doubles, respectively.

“We think they have some kind of twin telepathy when they are out there together,” Dixon joked. “It is amazing to watch.”

Stepping up at No. 4 singles has been freshman Kinley Rogers, who Hatfield said seemed to grow as a player on March 15 when forced to play at No. 2 in Forest's closest match of the year — a 4-3 defeat of Trinity Catholic.

“She has come in and made this team complete,” Dixon said. “We were a little worried about who would take that spot, but she eased all of our minds.”

Alice Cannon added that enjoying one another is a major part of creating unity.

“Tennis is such an individual sport, so I've tried to help encourage the team aspect while in practice and away from the court,” said Cannon, the team's lone senior. “I've tried to encourage the girls to get to know one another, root for each other and bond.”

No doubt those are lessons Cannon learned from past players and ones that future standouts will bring to Forest, which looks like it should remain a powerhouse for years to come.

“The way our roster is set up is so much better than if we had four or five seniors,” said Cannon, a four-year member of the varsity. “With a mix of older and younger players, you can continue to build.”

Up next: The top two teams advance to the regional tournament beginning April 9.

Outlook: Forest marches into the tournament having not lost a match all season. The team could be poised for a long run after winning the district tournament last year and advancing to the state tournament. FHS returns four key contributors from that team. Now a year older and more experienced, this Wildcats team, led by junior Taylor Dixon, will look to build upon last year's success in postseason play. Look for Alice Cannon, Katelyn McNeal and Breanna McNeal to also perform well in Gainesville. Lake Weir hasn't had the season that it was looking for. However, the Hurricanes will look to No. 1 Krystal Midcap to carry her momentum into the tournament after winning her first match of the year against Vanguard's Nicole Ordway two weeks ago. As for Vanguard, the Knights enter the tournament with an overall record of 6-8, 4-7 in the district. It has been somewhat of an up and down season for Vanguard, but head coach Anne Jones and her team remain confident. Led by Cassandra Mosley the Knights will look to battle their way to the top. West Port will lean on Brianna Ayers, as well as Emily and Virginia Scott to lead the way.

Up next: The top two teams advance to the regional tournament beginning April 9.

Outlook: Crystal River and Eastside are the non-county teams to watch. Crystal River made it to the state tournament last year and is looking to return. Locally, Belleview has put together a nice season, having compiled a record of 11-2 at last report. Seniors Naomi Dominguez and Lauren Bitter lead a Rattlers squad that has also received tremendous contributions from freshman Amanda Holloway. In doubles, Dominguez and Holloway team up to form a nice duo for BHS. Dunnellon has hoverd around the .500-mark for most of the season. Now with the district tournament approaching, DHS senior No. 1 Tia Love will look to lead the Tigers to a deep tournament run. North Marion (2-9) is led by a strong doubles team of Katherine Miller and Jamylka Garcia.

Up next: The top two teams advance to the regional tournament beginning April 9.

Outlook: Father Lopez will likely be favored to win this district tournament for the second straight season. Trinity Catholic was the runner-up last year and finished this season with a record of 5-4. The Celtics were without key contributor Marisa Thomason for most of the season as she attended to her basketball duties. But now with her back, as well as a cast that includes No. 1 Mary Bianculli, TCHS will look to get back to the regional tournament again in 2013. For St. John it has been a disappointing season. The Saints (1-12) are a still trying to build their program, but they will be led in this district tournament by No. 1 Maddie Sieberlich.

Up next: The top two teams advance to the regional tournament beginning April 9.

Outlook: Gainesville is the team to watch in this district. The reigning district 3A-5 champs will look to continue their success after a deep playoff run last season. However, both Forest and Vanguard will attempt to give the Hurricanes a run for their money. The Wildcats feature junior Philip Libby as their No. 1 seed who has been solid all season, as has fellow junior Mark Debolt. Throw in Nick Wigelsworth and Grant and Palmer Lovell, and the Wildcats will definitely be a tough out in the district tournament. FHS was the runner-up last season, advancing to regionals. The Knights are a young team, but don't take that to mean they don't stand a chance. Comprised of a solid sophomore group that includes No. 1 Alex Wartels, No. 2 Morgan Evans and No. 3 Ty Wolter, VHS will look to arrive on scene perhaps a year earlier than expected. West Port (5-5) will be led by No. 1 Alex Slay, while Lake Weir is led by Alex Arbeiter. The two No. 1 seeds squared off earlier in the season with Slay earning the 8-3 victory.

Up next: The top two teams advance to the regional tournament beginning April 9.

Outlook: Gainesville Eastside made a deep run last year, advancing all the way to the FHSAA state finals. The Rams will look to duplicate that result this year after they won the district last season. Crystal River, which was the runner up in district 2A-5 last year, is a team to watch as well. Jake Perkins is a solid No. 1 seed for Belleview and has the potential to beat anyone. Only a sophomore, Perkins will attempt to lead the Rattlers to a district crown. North Marion receives contributions from everyone, but one player in particular to keep an eye on is junior Gavin Trettel.

Up next: The top two teams advance to the regional tournament beginning April 9.

Outlook: This tournament should be wide open, but with a couple of schools standing out over the others. Father Lopez was last year's district 1A-5 tournament champion and has a good shot to repeat its success. Trinity Catholic (6-3) figures to be a contender as well. The Celtics handily defeated district foes Oviedo Master's Academy and The Villages, 7-0, in the regular season. With that in mind TCHS will be looking to build off of last year's runner-up finish in the tournament. A solid group that is led by No. 1 and No. 2 Andres Camino and Will DeClerk should be around in the tournament for a while.

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